The basic lesson of the Enlightenment Section of the Course

Good job to everyone this week.  I always enjoy learning on the week where students share hard won advice.  


I hope many of you recognized the joy which comes from sharing your hard gained wisdom, and you also discovered that American discourse was built upon the willingness and usefulness of the many to share their wisdom and learn from their fellow citizens.  


It's one thing to say, "every man is created equal." It's another to learn that every person IS created equal, and every person is worth listening to and is someone from whom you can learn.  


Too often today, we reserve our learning and listening only to "experts," and we forget the basic lesson of the Enlightenment and the new democracy, namely, you can learn from and trust the common person to be wise.  Each has wisdom and a viewpoint which is worth going out of your way to listen to.  The recognition that everyone has wisdom to share is the basis of trusting the people with the final say in government and is, ultimately, the basis of our society.  It is also the basic lesson of this section of the class.  


Everyone is a potential Franklin.  Everyone has something to contribute.  The main task of our society is getting out of the way of everyone and creating chances at opportunity and free speech, so society at large and you individually can benefit from this immense pool of wisdom and talent.  This was the lesson which Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Henry gambled their lives, liberty, and sacred honor to teach the world.  Ultimately, to be an American citizen you have to be willing to say your say, but you also must respect your fellow citizens enough to learn to listen to them and trust them.  


Take care, and--as always--write with questions,


Steve